Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-10-05

more than any one else i'll the world Roger
had wronged. 1t was too much. Roger wept
bitterly
Lucien said. laughingly, "Have done with
such childishness, my brother in arms ana
heart. l know that it is very annoying, and
that it causes you profound grief and trouble;
but since you are innocent and | am here 10
defend you, it will soon be over"
II wept, Lucien, because | cannot accept
your help, and because your devotion touches
me So
"How ridiculously you talk, Roger! But
am here to serve you, and not to hear'c com
plments Now tell me why don't you want
me for lawyers'
81 cannot" said the poor man, and think
ing again of suicide, what to do, what
way out of this new phase of his suiferings.
At last he decided.
"I4ucien, DO you know the proofs they have
against mes You must have seen that they
are extremely grave. Don't deceive yourself,
Lncien; they viii condemn me; they cannot
do otherwise, and you will fail. | shall not
retain a lawyer. They can give me one or
not, as they choose"
'''rhat is one OF your reasonsF
YES"
"If that is all We will talk of other things"
Roger shook his head He did not know
what to say There was but one thing clear
in his mind, and that was that he could not
permit Lucien to defend him. The lawyer
took one of the prisoners hands in his own
lie read that there were ron.bats in that suf-
fcring soul, but could not divine the cause.
You do not understand me. then, Lurien.
am obliged at last to ayow tue truth. Ibid
Till Iarouettel"
Are you crazys'
at is the truth, and DO not wish You to
defend me Lucien, for 1 do not wish to be
saved, and am not worthy of your defense"
so you admit that Won are the assassin
Aud all these reproachts these tears and
yroans, these deniais before the judSel"
Comedy! To make them believe me limo
centr
well, then, you authorize Inc TO tell NJ. De
Lignerolles, so that when the case comes on
we can plead guilty and throw ourselves on
the mercy of the court. Is that itF'
Roger made a sign of assent.
Now, Roger, you know very well that l
don't believe one word Of that"
This was too much for Roger, this proof of
Srand affection, and he gave up utterly all
attempt at subterfuge But this strange OBJ
stmacy had given birth to an underlined suS-
picion in the mind of Lucien; more all I'M
easness than a suspicion, but like the unrea-
sonable fear Of a coming trouble Later that
scene came into his mind.
Nov, since YOU have done with childish
ness, l wish you to answer my questions. All
that you have said to the three magistrates is
true, is it notl You have omitted nothing,
added nothingY'
Nothing, | assure you"
Lucien then questioned him infinitely upon
the whole affair from beginning to end, and
he noted down such few facts as he thought
might help him. After all that had been
written he said:
Now, the next question is, from whom did
You receive those notes. This you must
tell me-
do not insist, Lucien That I cannot tell
you"
"Whym
Honor f0rbids.n
Rogers head dropped Lucien kept silence
a moment, but he watched Roger closely, and
then with nervous laugh exclaimed
Il will bet you that l know"
Roger shuddered. "Lucien your gayety
hurts me"
divide your secret with me and l will
weep with you. if you wish. Only last night
was talking with Julia and told her was
sure there was woman in this"
MY Godl My Godf' murlnered Roger, q
H. l.,
"a married woman, Doubtless said Ll-
Glen, continuing his torturing questions.
am disappointed in you, Roger, but must
pardon. But tell me who she is and l will
go to her secretly and find out what she
knows of whence the money came"
Have mercy, Lucien."
"Roger, | must think not only of YOU but
of Henriette and Suzanne. So, it being a mar.
ried woman, you fear the husbands anger
will fall on her and the dishonor for all par
ties. 1t is always SO, sooner or later. in these
matters. We're you friend to this woman's
husband9"
Roger thought a moment, and remember
ing that at that time Lucien was scarcely
known to him, he said no. But, in spite OF
all Lucien could say or do, Roger would moi
divulge the name.
you are very wrong. know you are in
nocent, and fear the worst if you persist
Come, will leave yon to reflect, and in the
meantime l will go about your vindication
and shall see you before the day of trial"
Lucien went away after more consolatory
words, but the noise his crutches and wooden
legs made on the marble hall outside seemed
just so many blows struck on Rogers heart.